A newlywed and a newborn were just two of the family members welcoming thousands of sailors home to San Diego Tuesday, just in time for the holidays.
Three U.S. Navy ships returned home after a seven-month deployment, docking at Navy Base San Diego to a packed pier. USS Essex, USS Anchorage and USS Rushmore spent seven months with Marines from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 21 Detachment who returned home to Camp Pendleton Monday.
The sailors and Marines launched airstrikes against ISIS as a part of the Operation Inherent Resolve air campaign.
Navy wife Cierra Stanley was waiting for her husband with their 2-month old baby who he'll be seeing for the first time.
“It’s so overwhelming. I’m just fighting back the tears,” she said.
Her daughter was dressed up in red, white and blue with a onesie that said “Welcome Home Daddy, I’ve been waiting my whole life to meet you.”
Nearby, newlywed Brittany Masiello was also trying not to cry. She was selected by lottery to welcome home her sailor in the First Kiss ceremony.
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“I felt like this day was never going to come,” she said as she waited for her husband, Jeremy. They were married in January and this was her first deployment.
Both Navy wives said they are looking forward to spending time over the holidays with their sailors.
The Essex Amphibious Ready Group worked on maritime security operations, participated in theater security cooperation efforts and bi-lateral training events with partner nations, military offiicals said.
